Don’t be alarmed by the title just yet, this is not a definite thing. According to an Autosport report, Formula 1 (F1) teams have been invited to meet with the FIA and F1’s commercial rights holder next week to discuss details of the next engine and car rules from 2021 onwards, and going all-wheel drive (AWD) will be one talking point.
The main idea is to improve the show by having more on-track overtaking. Having AWD would significantly improve the cars’ mechanical grip, thus allowing drivers to follow each other more closely on track to hopefully, pull off more genuine passes (rather than easy DRS-assisted fly-bys).
It’s said that a few teams would be in favour of having the front wheels driven by a front-axle Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). This way, the race cars would gain AWD traction without having to send drive to the front wheels from the mid-mounted engine. Similar systems are already in use in WEC’s LMP1 prototype racers.
Nothing is carved in stone just yet, of course. This is just one of many ideas that will be discussed. Still, what do you think of this – should F1 go AWD? Let us know in the comments below.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Won’t make a damn difference. F1 is too dependent on aero. Aero effect still trounce mechanical grip. Despite having wider and more lasting tires, overtaking hasn’t improved much. Why don’t you ask them to run a season without DRS and see if they could overtake as easily as it were now. DRS works like charm because aero dominates mechanical grip. Without DRS, you couldn’t find ways to negate the dirty air behind another car. Even when given extra grip, you can’t undo the difference between clean and dirty air.
4wd will make a HUGE difference on slower corner exits where aerodynamic forces are less significant.
There are circuits that are less dependent to aerodynamics, also this development cloud be exciting in rain condition.
Bring F1 back to Sepang !!!
What has Sepang got to do with 4-WD ? Just curious.
In a normal car, yes, probably. The engine weight planted the front of the car. But F1 weight is mostly at the back, prioritising traction. What do you gain from AWD? That’s why they have this huge wing upfront for aero.
In the past, front wings were smaller thus does not play a huge part in it. You often see drivers still stick to their partly broken wings and get away with it. Now you almost have to put instantly. The penalty is too much especially for front running teams where their aero is so delicate.
Might just work as described above. Current 4wd used on cars are heavy and complex but if the KERS is used on the front wheels then it sounds like a clever solution
That’s true. Correct me if I’m wrong as I’m no physics student and I don’t really know the dark arts of aero, but 4WD should make a difference in how the car handles when it’s slides right? Aero keeps the stability but the actual mechanical grip added from the front tires should work in both low and high speeds. This is a good step for the sport however the v8’s or better yet, the v10’s is the real crowd pleasers.
Actually aero is a horrible bed partner – it only works (by generating downforce to increase mechanical grip to the wheels) only when the driver is willing to drive fast into the corner but if the driver hesitates and does not keep the speed up then he/she can say goodbye to downforce and off the track they go. Michael Schumacher was right in suggesting less aero (or no aero) and more mechanical grip to see who is the better driver like the go kart champs most started from.
Just wait and see……FIA change all the time one….
no great sound effects, putting rocket also useless.
this days, F1 car just sounds like ah qua
I agree. why don’t they just let Formula E do all the Eco/Environment-saving thing and Formula 1 revert to the screaming V10, or at least the V8. Current turbo V6 sounds like vacuum cleaners.
Want excitements and overtaking? Just bring back refueling!!! Also please dump those engines that sound like bees. We want the beast sound of V10 or V12 back.
Problem is the people at the helm of the FIA Management didn’t like to go back to the days of the howling N.A multicylinder engines. WH
F1 should do away with gadgets that “help” the driver control the machine. I want to see real drivers controlling the car with their skills.
Current F1 is boring bcos the Best driver does not win the F1 crown & bring back the Normal Aspirated engine that rev to 20,000 RPM & idle at 6,000 RPM.
All the talks about cutting cost in running a team & pollution are Bull Shit.
Back to good old days, no wings with screaming v12 NA engine…
The only thing that will make me excited is to bring back the high strung naturally aspirated v10 engines. Even v8 will do as long as its not a turbocharged engine